The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-12-03

Seiecteu from all branches OF service were
sent to him to qualify as instructors in
the British Army They ranged between
nineteen and twenty years of age, between
five feet five inches and six feet in height,
and between 128 and 174 pounds in
weight. After carefully registering the
measurements of each at start, and at
different times throughout their progress,
he found that the muscular additions to
the arms and shoulders and the expansion
OF the chest were so great as to have abso-
lutely ludicrous and embarrassing result.
for before the fourth month several of the
men could not get into their uniforms.
One of the men gained five inches in girth
Of chest. And who shall tell the value of
that five inches additional space for the
heart aud lungs to work in DIR. Sargent
tells of a student who in four hours a week,
for one year, increased his upper arm one
and half inches, his chest three and half,
and his height one inch. Now, these facts
become all the more significant when it is
known that the chest does not increase a
hairs breath scarcely in twenty years, unless
exercised. 1t has been estimated that an
increase of three inches to the circumference
Of the chest viii permit the lungs to con.
tain 300 cubic inches of air instead of $50
cubic inches. And this additional fifty
cubic inches will prevent any kind of lung
trouble. A striking example of how re-
peated exercise of any one kind constantly
kept up affects the limbs, is that children's
arms have been found to lengthen by sus-
tanning the small weight of their books as
they carried them to school. The force is
very, very small, but constant, and little
by little will have its results. 1t must be
conceded then, that delicate body may
be made robust one, and it is equally
plain that sound body may be maintained
so.
We must not forget that youth is the
time for this development. 1t is the grow
ing time Of the body and the mind; it is
the time to apply "the ounce of pre-
vention" The work should commence
when all is plastic and movable, changing
and capable of being changed. The one
shoulder that is now a little higher than
its mate will not be half so hard to
restore to its place now as when con.
frmed to its position by long years Of
bad habit which should never have
been tolerated day. If the chest is weak
or fiat, now is the time to remove the de-
feet. Build up the arms to be strong and
comely now, accustom the chest and shoul-
ders to their proper place, cover the back
with full and shapely muscles. Get the
feet used to the work which comes SO easy
and natural to them, and the same boy
who would have grown up half built,
ungraceful, and far from strong, will ripen
into vigorous, wellknit man of sound
mind and body. Not only is the growing
time the best time but it is the only time.
1t has been said, "with steam we work,
with steamlike haste We live, and often in
like manner 90 to destruction. An old
boiler may be repaired or replaced, but the
human organism is limited in its working
possibilities, and often is exhausted or worn
out before its time never to be fully re-
stored" This is particularly true Of the
mental portion of our being, which es-
pecially in student life is always on the
90, always working, always exercising,
always developing while the physical re-
mains almost at standstill, becomes weak
and delicate from inactivity, and finally can
no longer support the brain in its work,
like machinery rusting from resting
There seems to be reason to believe that
physical culture is not only not understood
by some, but positively misunderstood, and
in view of this | wish to speak of some of
the objections that are frequently offered
to it. Those of intsllectualpursuits are apt
to think that systematic exercise produces
only muscular power, power to travel
great distances, carry great burdens, lift
great weights, or overcome great material
distractions, and as this would be to them
comparatively of no value, they will not
give their time and effort to it. But the
notion is mistaken one and can only come
from ignorance of the part the body play:
in the activity of the brain.
As / have already said, muscular power
is but one result of systematic exercise
and that not the greatest. Regulated ex.
ercise can be brought to bear upon those
delicate and important structures which
encase and contain the vital organs, anC
on whose fair and full development the
health and functional ability of the organ:
depend, thus making exercise of as much
value to him who works with his brain
as to him who works with his hands, and
it will be sought for with desire proper.
tional to his intelligence, because it will
enable him to prolong and sustain his
labors with safety to himself and increased
value to his fellowmen. There is no pro
fession, no occupation, no calling in life
there is no position, no state in which man
can be placed where fairly developed
frame, a little of that bodily stamina, q
little of that material hardihood, a little oi
that power of enduring fatigue, acquired
by physical exercise, will not be valuable
and you may remember to have heard OIL
another occasion, that it was not ovIsstudy
that made the palefaced student, or led tC
his early grave, but lack Of exercise.
Another objection offered, is that while
there are many faultily grown and imper
fectly developed and weak, the majority
are not SO and do not need the eorree
tive effect of exercise. What would yol
think of a teacher, who, because boy wa
apt and capable, would leave him to hi
own resources and inclinations. What
ever may be the capacity of the UNFRAMED
body, it is as far from the symetry anC
strength to which it may attain witt
proper culture as is the clever, but self
taught man from what he would hav,
been through educational training. Will
it has the crowning glory of all culture ant
knowledge of bene6ting most bountifull,
those whose needs are greatest, it yet ben
efts all, giving added strength to tn
already strong, increased dexterity to tn,
active, speed to the already feet of foo
and accumulated health to the alread,
healthy.
Still another objection offered, is tina
the play of boys aud girls ought to affort
sufficient exercise. The truth is, tina
physical culture is often necessary t,
overcome injury done by most games, ant
the very first piece of apparatus for gym
nasium was devised to remove defect
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